Principles of Economics Chapter 28: Unemployment

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Questions and Answers

Which group is included in the labor force?

  • Unpaid workers in a family business (correct)
  • Retirees
  • Full-time students
  • Homemakers

What is the formula for calculating the unemployment rate?

  • Total labor force divided by employed
  • Unemployed plus employed
  • (Employed / Total population) x 100
  • (Unemployed / Labor force) x 100 (correct)

What does the labor force participation rate measure?

  • Percentage of unemployed individuals in the labor force
  • Percentage of the labor force in relation to the total population (correct)
  • Percentage of employed individuals in the workforce
  • Percentage of the population that is unemployed

If the labor force is 154.4 million and the number of unemployed is 8.5 million, what is the unemployment rate?

<p>5.5% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the total population if the labor force is 154.4 million and those not in the labor force is 79.2 million?

<p>233.6 million (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of economic growth?

<p>An increase in real GDP occurring over some time period (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Rule of 70 estimate?

<p>The number of years required to double real GDP (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which phase of the business cycle does the economy reach a temporary maximum?

<p>Peak (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is most likely to happen during a recession?

<p>Decline in total output, income, employment, and trade (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the trough phase of the business cycle?

<p>Output and employment reach their lowest levels (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does rapid economic growth often have on inflation?

<p>It can result in rapid inflation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is included in the labor force?

<p>People who are able and willing to work (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What typically occurs during the recovery phase of the business cycle?

<p>Output and employment rise towards full employment (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Economic growth

Increase in real GDP over time or real GDP per capita.

Rule of 70

Estimated years to double real GDP = 70 divided by the annual growth percentage.

The business cycle

Fluctuations in economic activity marked by alternating expansions and contractions.

Peak (Business Cycle)

Maximum business activity; near full employment and productivity; likely price level increases.

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Recession (Business Cycle)

Period of decreased output, income, and employment; widespread contraction in business activity; likely price level decreases.

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Trough (Business Cycle)

Lowest levels of output and employment; can be brief or prolonged.

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Recovery (Business Cycle)

Rising output and employment towards full employment; price levels may begin to rise before reaching full capacity.

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Labor force

Individuals able and willing to work, comprising both employed and unemployed individuals actively seeking work.

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Employed

Paid employees, self-employed, unpaid family workers.

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Unemployed

Individuals not working but available and seeking employment within the last four weeks.

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Not in the Labor Force

Those not qualifying as employed or unemployed (e.g., students, homemakers, retirees).

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Unemployment Rate

(Unemployed / Labor Force) x 100

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Labor Force Participation Rate

(Labor Force/Population) x 100

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Study Notes

Economic Growth

  • Defined as an increase in real GDP over time or real GDP per capita.
  • Example: If real GDP rises from $200 billion to $210 billion, the growth rate is 5%.
  • Rule of 70: Estimated years to double real GDP = 70 divided by the annual growth percentage.

The Business Cycle

  • Describes fluctuations in economic activity marked by alternating expansions and contractions.
  • Declines in real GDP lead to significant rises in unemployment.
  • Rapid economic growth can coincide with high inflation.

Phases of the Business Cycle

  • Peak: Maximum business activity; near full employment and productivity; likely price level increases.
  • Recession: Period of decreased output, income, and employment; widespread contraction in business activity; likely price level decreases.
  • Trough: Lowest levels of output and employment; can be brief or prolonged.
  • Recovery: Rising output and employment towards full employment; price levels may begin to rise before reaching full capacity.

Unemployment

  • The labor force includes individuals able and willing to work, comprising both employed and unemployed individuals actively seeking work.
  • BLS Categories:
    • Employed: Paid employees, self-employed, unpaid family workers.
    • Unemployed: Individuals not working but available and seeking employment within the last four weeks.
    • Not in the Labor Force: Those not qualifying as employed or unemployed (e.g., students, homemakers, retirees).

Labor Force Statistics Calculation

  • Labor Force: Total workers = Employed + Unemployed = 145.9 million + 8.5 million = 154.4 million.
  • Unemployment Rate (u-rate): Calculated as (Unemployed/Labor Force) x 100 = (8.5/154.4) x 100 = 5.5%.
  • Adult Population: Total population = Labor Force + Not in Labor Force = 154.4 million + 79.2 million = 233.6 million.
  • Labor Force Participation Rate: (Labor Force/Population) x 100 = (154.4/233.6) x 100 = 66.1%.

Unemployment Rate Formula

  • The unemployment rate represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed:
    • Unemployment Rate = (Unemployed / Labor Force) x 100.

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